Tag Archive: favor


Even If You Are The Only One

Filed under: Creatively Speaking, Focus, Uncategorized — Leave a comment
April 16, 2023

by DJ. Martin (Singlefocus ®)

Light In The Darkness

‘LIGHT IN THE NIGHT’ by D.J. MARTIN

Have you heard your child, or you say as a child, “But Mom, everybody is doing it!” Teenagers, of every generation, have the desire to be accepted by their peers. So, to be popular and not shunned, they dress according to the trends and do things their peers do (good or bad). Unfortunately, for some, that kind of craving continues into adulthood, the good or the bad. Thankfully, one day my mom replied, “You are not everybody!” That clicked inside of me. It was a revelation that it was okay to be me. I did not have to be a clone of the best-dressed or most popular. Who I was, and my preferences were fine.

With all that aggressive attempt to fit in and be in step with the custom of your generation, have you ever thought about being the best at being all that is good in you so that others would desire to emulate you? That’s what some celebrated singers are trying to do (more bad than good). Have you ever considered yourself becoming a trendsetter (Romans 12:2)?

You know the murder story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8). Cain went into exile after killing Abel, leaving                  Eve with no son. After one hundred and thirty years, God provided Eve with another son named Seth               (Genesis 4:25). Then, men began to worship God through seven generations. Noah was the product of the seventh generation. At some time, within the five hundred years of Noah’s life, unearthly beings began marrying the daughters of men, creating giants and wicked offspring (Genesis 6:2). The world grew increasingly sinful and caused God to regret that He created man (Genesis 6:6). However, there was one man who found grace in the eyes of God. One man righteous in the entire world. Noah had a wife, three sons, and three daughters-in-law. But the scripture says that only one person found grace, Noah. Noah did not crave popularity from people or beings. Noah did not regard the world’s customs, changing trends, religions, or traditions. He continued the pursuit of God’s good pleasure. Since Noah deliberately chose to be different, God and his family were probably his only company and friends. The wicked didn’t hang around him, and he didn’t socialize with them. Noah was okay with being Noah and not one who imitated the world. In the whole world, Noah was the only one that reverenced God, His will, and His ways. One man (Genesis 6:8)!

Amid the evil going on in the world, Noah continually walked upright before God. The unholy mating produced offspring who carried unrighteous DNA (Genesis 6:4-5). Therefore, God told Noah of His plan to flood the earth, destroy the world and its inhabitants, and start over with him and his family (Genesis 6:13). The mandate He gave Adam He would now give to Noah (Genesis 6:18; 9:1). He told Noah to build an ark that would house his family and the animals as shelter from the flood. So, Noah began to build the boat. Though it had never rained, Noah believed God. As five years went by, ten years went by, Noah kept obeying and honoring God even though it didn’t rain. Certainly, he was ignored and ridiculed but did not waver from his faith and trust in God. I imagine that he didn’t shop at the same shops for clothes. He probably didn’t play the world’s music but sang worship to God. He remained different and faithful in his walk with God. Noah, though it was now hundred years passed, did not compromise nor stop doing the work of the Lord. All indications are that he did not seek reasons to stop building the ark or dismiss saying what God said. I imagine the giants laughed because they believed they were high enough that no mist from the ground or heaven could drown them. Noah never stopped being the one righteous man. He didn’t say, “Oh, this is a nice custom of the world; let me try it.” Years passed, but he didn’t start looking, acting, or talking like the world. He persevered, not as a reflection of the world but of obedience and trust in the living God. Noah never wavered. He was a single light in the darkness of the world. Noah was okay with being Noah in an increasingly wicked world.

There are Christians in the sports world, but they, like Noah, don’t conform to the world. Unfortunately, some Christian athletes do mimic the world. Noah spent hundreds of years in a wicked world, but he did not emulate the world. There are different Christians in the entertainment world, but then there are those who compromise and walk and talk like the world. There are Christians in the world of business or politics, etc. And those Christians are different and deliberately do not blend in with the world culture, morally or ethically (Ephesians 5:1). But then there are Christians who are the spitting image of the world.

These are crucial days of decisions: whether you will pursue the favor of God or the favor of the world, whether you will walk with God or walk with the world. Noah chose the way and favor of the living God (Hebrews 11:7). The world did not, and the world did not survive. The world you pursue more than the pursuit of God will falter and not be able to save you nor desire to save you. God is looking for some Noah’s in every genre; families, government, media, sports, arts and entertainment, religion, business, education, etc., even if you are the only one. (1Peter 2:9)

We know how the story ended. We are a part of that ending. Men live because God found one man righteous in the entire world. Thankfully, there is now more than one man who has found grace in the eyes of God. It is tremendous because the only living God, from the beginning, decided to make the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sins and take the punishment for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross. And whoever confesses and believes in Him and His sacrifice “shall be saved” (Romans 10:9). One man, perfect in all His ways, gave His life so that we might become saved.

Whatever world you are a part of, persevere in the pursuit of the favor of God, even if you are the only one.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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Lifted from Ruins

Filed under: Creatively Speaking, Focus, Have You Thought About?, Overcoming, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — Leave a comment
December 6, 2017

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

Because of the sins of the children of Israel, another people had overcome them and ruled over them and the land. Therefore the Jews lived in the ruins of Jerusalem and left the walls of the city unrepaired. (Nehemiah 2:13) They lived as people without hope and made themselves comfortable with the consequences of their sin. During the reign of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, God gave Nehemiah favor to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:1-8) Though tormentors came daily taunting them (Nehemiah 4:1); reminding them of the fact that they were weak and defeated people, Nehemiah came along and persuaded them to rebuild the walls and secure the gates. The mockers said that they were neither capable nor did they have a right to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Jews had to be on guard day and night for the wicked princes sought to keep them and the city in ruins.

man in ruins

Similarly, today there are among us people who have sinned, willingly or unwillingly, who are residing in ruins; their life is a sinful mess. Every time someone like Nehemiah comes along to encourage them that they can have a new life, there are deceivers who want them to remain in ruins, constantly taunting them; telling them that they are weak and utterly sinful. They mock them and tell them that their life is irreparable and they have no right to seek a new life in Christ. They continuously pressure them into thinking there is no hope, and that life in sin is where they belong. But, as God heard Nehemiah’s prayer of repentance and gave him favor with the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, He will hear the prayers of a repentant heart and will give them favor, and by His grace repair their life and make them brand new.

Perhaps you or your loved ones are in a negative situation due to sins of your forefathers (Exodus 20:5), sins you personally committed, or sins committed against you. As a consequence, your house and life are in ruins; you are in bondage and a servant to sin, and unable to break free. God did not make you this way. This is not the life God intended for you. Therefore, not wanting you to perish in your sin, He prepared a way of escape and restoration. I know that people around you have deceived you, but God does not lie. (Numbers 23:19) What you have heard about the true and living God you can believe. God so loved you that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), to take away your sins and give you new life. He wants to lift you from the ruins if you let Him.

To tune out the world or people who would have you remain in sinful ruin, pick up the Bible and see what God has to say. The scriptures will reveal the overwhelming love, restorative mercy and saving grace of God.

In His Word, you can know that by the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, God has made a way of escape from a life of ruins. He will forgive and restore the repentant soul. If you call on Jesus, you can and you will be lifted from ruins and set free from the bondage of sin.

 

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  John 8:36

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1JOHN 1:9

 

 

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…

 

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WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

Filed under: Creatively Speaking, Focus, Have You Thought About?, Overcoming, Searching For Purpose?, True Story, Uncategorized, Winning — Leave a comment
July 23, 2017

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

Publication2

One spring day, I found a Business Card on my front door. It was for a lawn service. When I called the phone number printed on the card, I expected to receive a reasonable quote. The price was indeed reasonable; therefore I commissioned them to groom my lawn. For days before the day they promised to service my lawn, I always brought up in conversation with co-workers and family that I had commissioned someone to groom my lawn. I confessed that my lawn would be mowed that week. On the agreed day which they promised to service my lawn, I eagerly anticipated and expected to go home to a manicured lawn. When I arrived, I indeed saw what I expected. I had never met the men, but after talking to one of them, I had expected them to fulfill their word. They did indeed fulfill their word as I expected.

These were mortal men. They had no super capes around their necks or wings on their feet or on their shoulders. Actually, I did not know what they looked like, yet I expected them to service my lawn because they said they could. When I called them, I did not ask them to paint the house, feed the dog, or repair my car. Their services were limited to what was printed on their Business Card. Furthermore, I left them a payment of gratitude in a secret location before the completion of the work, because I expected them to do what I had asked them to do.

We frequently call on human beings with expectation and anticipation.  How is it that we are uncertain and waver in confidence of the outcome when we pray to or call on the true living God? His Business Card, the Holy Bible, boasts of a multitude of skills and abilities. He is not short of His power, strength nor His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). We don’t know the limitlessness of His ability unless we read His ‘Business Card’. If we read His ‘Business Card’ we know what He is exceedingly able to do (Ephesians 3:20). So if we know what He is able to do, when we call Him, shouldn’t we expect Him to do what He said He can do?

What do you expect when you pray?

One morning, a neighbor inquired about who takes care of my lawn. They saw how well it was kept and they wanted their contact information. Not only did I give them their telephone number, but I proceeded to tell them of their good attributes. They proceeded to call and hire them on my recommendation and the evidence of my well-maintained yard. My neighbor expected to get the same results as I did, and they did indeed receive what they had expected.

Sometimes we pray or call on God because of the testimony of others. We have seen with our own eyes that He did miraculous work for others. They boasted of Him because they had been healed, given favor, delivered or given peace, and they recommended that we also call on Jesus. I wonder when we follow through on the recommendation of others, do we expect of the Lord as eagerly as we expect the lawn service of mere human beings?

What do you expect when you pray?

I remember while working a minimum wage job, telling co-workers that I was going to buy a house, though I had no money to purchase the home. My co-workers asked me, “How are you going to get a house?” They knew how much I earned because they made the same salary. But God had confirmed to me that He was going to give me my own house. I was always reading His ‘Business Card’, so I eagerly expected and anticipated what He promised. I was always bringing it up in conversations because I believed His promise. I took God at His word. Not only did I get the house, but I have more than one. I received what I expected from God because I read His ‘Business Card’ (John 15:7).

Now, if we expect mortal men to do what their Business Card indicates they can do, shouldn’t’ we expect with even more anticipation exceedingly greater things when we call on God?

What do you expect when you pray?

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Genesis 18:14

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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The Lion’s Den

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Overcoming, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized, Winning — 12 Comments
February 6, 2014

lion

It is a difficult thing to find a job where everything is like a paradise; everyone agrees that God reigns and Christ is Lord of their lives in every way. Unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult to work in an ‘all pleasant’ atmosphere, even when you work for an evangelical church, because the jealousy demon spirit lingers at every corner.  I would venture to say that most faithful children of God have or will encounter this jealousy spirit as a roaring lion at one time or another.

Paul writes that we were chosen before the foundation of the world for a purpose (Ephesians 1:4-5). God knew us before we were born and has chosen us and compassed us with His favor. The glory of the Lord is all over us. We are a light that blinds the wicked. Wickedness determinedly cannot prevail as long as the servants of God are present.   Furthermore, the purpose of God will be fulfilled, if they don’t stop us (Amos 3:4). But I think that the story of Daniel illustrates our victorious position even in the midst of a Lion’s Den.

Compare your family or your co-workers or your government to the Lion’s Den. What do they have in common? They spread rumors and lies about you with their roaring mouths (Psalm 22:13). They encircle you with their plots against you (Psalm 17:12). They lay in wait ready to devour you (1Peter 5:8) as meat as they conspire against you. They watch your every move, like a lion tracking his prey, to report negatively if you even twitch. They aren’t concerned about your God, they are just jealous of your presence, your favor, your position and your focus on God’s ‘Will and Purpose’ for your life. They are your jealous adversaries who, unwittingly, are in league with the devil. So how do you handle the torment? Jesus said, “It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come (Luke 17:1)!” “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”

Take Daniel for an example. This is a man who worked most of His life for governments who did not know his God. Yet Daniel was highly favored.  In Daniel Chapter 6, we see the ‘green-eyed monster’, jealousy, take an extreme turn. Daniel was faithful and wise and loyal in his position as a president. The scripture says that an excellent spirit was in him (Daniel 6:3 ) and the king wanted to make him head over the whole realm. That meant that he would be promoted over all the presidents and princes. So like a lion stalking his prey, they spied on Daniel, hoping to find a flaw that they could report to the king. But they couldn’t find anything negative to report. Daniel showed up on time to work, he put in his ‘eight hours’ and fulfilled his duties without hesitation (most likely because he worked as unto the Lord); they had no opportunity to pounce. So they stroked the ego of the king and persuaded him to create a 30 day law. They decided to make Daniel’s love for God a crime. So like a pack of roaring lions they went to the king and charmed him into making it unlawful for anyone to petition their God or gods for 30 days; as Daniel had a habit of praying to the excellent God three times a day (Daniel 6:10). The law was that anyone caught would be thrown to the lions.

Well they knew Daniel would continue to pray, because they had watched his every move for days. Like a pack of lions wetting their lips, they hurried to the king and reminded him of the new law. Though angry at himself and the trickery of his princes and presidents, the king had Daniel put into the Lion’s Den (literally). But, look who encouraged Daniel; the king who did not know his God but had observed Daniel and the excellent spirit (God) with him (Daniel 6:16). This king expected impossible results.

He was anxious all night and hurried to the Lion’s Den early the next morning. There at the top of the Lion’s Den, the king called out Daniel’s name and Daniel answered saying, “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me (Daniel 6:22).” The king had Daniel promptly removed from the Lion’s Den. Then he gathered all those two-legged lions who had plotted against Daniel and ordered they and their families to be tossed into the Lion’s Den where they were utterly destroyed by the four-legged lions. And then the king said of God, which is the moral of the story of you and the Lion’s Den; “He delivered and rescued, and He worked signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Do you feel like you are a Daniel in a Lion’s Den? If you are a “servant of the living God, [your] God, whom you serve continually, is able to deliver you from the lions (Daniel 6:20)” If you are a faithful servant of God, “…God [will] send His angel, and [will] shut the lions’ mouths and they will not hurt you.

The scripture goes on to say that “this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 6:28).” You may be in a Lion’s Den surrounded by roaring lions, but you are filled with an excellent spirit (the spirit of God). Praise God and give Him glory, because He will shut their mouths, deliver you from the lions and their power and then cause you to have favor and prosper the rest of your days.

Thy God whom thou serve continually, He will deliver thee.  Daniel 6:16

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

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